Weekly Rewind 8.29.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

My Life and Blog

Life: School starts on Monday! I'm feeling as ready as I can feel, I think. The other members of the sixth-grade English team have been so helpful with getting everything all set up. This year is going to be very different for me because this district expects all grade-level department teachers to be teaching the same lessons with the same number of assessments that are all scheduled on the same day. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. I won't be able to be quite as creative as I was last year, BUT I'll have a lot more free time because I won't be constantly planning. Frankly, I'll take it. I can still have some areas where I'm creative with my lessons, and I'll always take less stress. I've gotten used to the idea of not having a permanent classroom, although I'm not a huge fan of one of the teachers I have to share a room with. The other two have been very warm and welcoming to me, and two out of three ain't bad (what's that song?). I got a cute banner for my cart and have decided that I'll do seasonal/holiday decorations on it. I think the students will like that--and really it is all about the students at the end of the day.

My husband is coming down this weekend, which is so nice. I'll have to go back to PA the next two weekends because he is going out of town for the week of Labor Day (starting the Friday before through the Sunday after), and I need to go snag our cats for the week. My landlord is being really nice and letting me bring them to my rental home for the week. I'll probably end up going three weekends in a row because I'll want to see my husband after not seeing him for three weeks, so it's so awesome I don't have to do the drive this weekend--especially with school starting on Monday.

Blog and reading: I was so hoping to blog more this summer...but I feel ok about just posting WoWs and Weekly Rewind posts if I'm honest. I do have at least one movie review to post--hopefully next week. I'm STILL reading Throne of Glass, although it's pretty slow-going. This week I started reading, like, 3 new books. I've gotten SO many books lately, and September's arcs are overwhelming me (because they all look so freaking awesome and I want to read them all--all at once). That's not even looking at the awesome books coming out in Sept that I don't have arcs for. Why are September books so awesome? Don't publisher know I have to go back to work? Lol.

New books: I am so beyond excited for the books I have to show you today. I seriously cannot handle it. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For review

   

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith

Ryan Dean is back for his senior year of high school. He is bummed to find out that his roommate is a 12 year-old freshman (placed with him, of course, since he is a 15 year-old senior). I absolutely loved Winger and hope to read this this weekend (probably an unrealistic goal since I'll have my husband here). I read the first couple of chapters last night before my eyes closed, and was immediately drawn back into that world. Love.

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

I don't know why, but I've been dying to get my hands on this one. It sounds like an intriguing ghost story and that cover is amazing. So happy I snagged this one--finally!

Dead House by Dawn Kurtagisch

I'm about 60 pages into this, and it is super interesting so far. Based on the cover and title, I was expecting a haunted house, but it is really (at least so far) about two girls who share a body--one who inhabits it during the day and the other at night. They share a diary to communicate because the other is "gone" when one has control. I've read a couple of "I couldn't sleep after reading this" statements. There hasn't been anything scary yet, but I'm hoping it gets scary. Because I love to be scared. Because I'm a weirdo (and unfortunately, it takes a lot to scare me).

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa

As far as I can tell, this is a story about a LGBTQ love triangle.

What I snagged from the library

  

Books:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by various

I love short story anthologies and have heard great things about this one.

Books on CD:

Paper Towns by John Green

I was kind of reading this this summer, but decided the audio would probably be the way to go. I haven't started it yet, but definitely want to read (listen to) it before I watch the movie.

Movie:

Insurgent

I have yet to finish reading this series (yes, I know how it ends--which is why have yet to finish it. It really wasn't my favorite series to begin with). That said, I enjoyed the first movie, and am excited to see this one.

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

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Waiting on Wednesday (113) Dreaming of Antigone



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

Dreaming of Antigone

Author: Robin Bridges
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: March 29, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Heartfelt and emotional." --Rebecca Phillips, author of Faking Perfect

"I can't ever be the blazing star that Iris was. I'm still just a cold, dark satellite orbiting a star that went super nova." 

Andria's twin sister, Iris, had adoring friends, a cool boyfriend, a wicked car, and a shelf full of soccer trophies. She had everything, in fact--including a drug problem. Six months after Iris's death, Andria is trying to keep her grades, her friends, and her family from falling apart. But stargazing and books aren't enough to ward off her guilt that she--the freak with the scary illness and all-black wardrobe--is still here when Iris isn't. And then there's Alex Hammond. The boy Andria blames for Iris's death. The boy she's unwittingly started swapping lines of poetry and secrets with, even as she tries to keep hating him. 

Heartwrenching, smart, and bold, Dreaming of Antigone is a story about the jagged pieces that lie beneath the surface of the most seemingly perfect life…and how they can fit together to make something wholly unexpected.

Why I'm excited:
I don't know why, but I am SO drawn to books that have stars on the cover. I just love them. This sounds kind of heavy, but I've found myself drawn to "issue" books more and more. While I'm sure there will be some sad parts, it sounds important and hopeful, too. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for this one. 

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!

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Weekly Rewind 8.22.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

Life and Blog

Life: My plan was to type this up last night, but for some reason my brand new laptop wouldn't connect to the internet at my new apartment (like, it would connect barely, but the wheel kept spinning and it would have taken me HOURS to get anything done), and I just drove the four hours home after working all day, so I'm going to skip the rambling part of this post today. I'm doing ok. The school seems fine--even if I'm going to be a floating teacher; I've barely seen my roommate and her boyfriend, but both are nice when I do; the drive up was kind of brutal today and I know it is going to get old quickly, but at least I get to see my husband on the weekends. It all is what it is. I'm lucky to have a job in such a wonderful district that is SO much closer to home, and I am well aware of that fact.

Blog and reading: I didn't get anything posted this week outside of a WoW. I'm currently reading Throne of Glass and The Cuckoo's Calling (both still). I started reading Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between last night. I like what I've read so far, but only got a couple of chapters in before my eyes started to close. I'm so not used to getting up early again yet. I'm so nocturnal naturally, and really let my schedule go bonkers this summer. Paying for it now!

New books: I have a beautiful pile of books to share with you this week. I'm SOOOO excited for all of these. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For review

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between  by Jennifer E. Smith

I was so excited to snag this one. It follows a couple on their last night together before they go separate ways for college as they try to decide whether or not they should stay together or break up.

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

I think we all sat up and paid attention to this when the cover first came out. How could we not? So freaking cool. Westerns are not my favorite genre, but I love the idea of this, and am excited to read it.

The Shadow Behind the Stars by Rebecca Hahn

I adore Greek mythology--have my entire life--and one of my favorite things about it is the three Fates, so if I hear even a mention of them, I'm so on board. 

The Wanderers by Kate Ormand
I'm so drawn to any book that has to do with the circus. I don't even know what this is about. I just saw the cover, and said: yes, please.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This is getting a lot of love. It was one of my WoW picks months ago, so of course I'm excited. 

Violent Ends by various authors

As a teacher, I'm terrified of school shootings. It isn't a fear I live with on a daily basis, but every once in awhile the fear will wiggle its way into my conscious. What makes this book so intriguing for me, is that it is comprised on different stories from several different authors from the victim's viewpoint. Not about the school shooting itself, but about the boy who committed the terrible act. It sounds fascinating, albeit, disturbing.

Jillian Cade: (Fake) Paranormal Investigator by Jen Klein

A girl uses her famous father's reputation to set up a fake paranormal investigator firm. Sounds fun.

Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius

It's pretty risky to retell the story of Anne Boleyn and Henry Tudor in a modern, high-school setting. This isn't the first book to attempt it, I know, but risky nonetheless.  

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

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Waiting on Wednesday (112) Wink Poppy Midnight



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

Wink Poppy Midnight

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Publisher: Dial
Release Date: March 22, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The intrigue of The Virgin Suicides and the "supernatural or not" question of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer coalesce in this young adult mystery, where nothing is quite as it seems, no one is quite who you think, and everything can change on a dime.

Every story needs a hero.
Every story needs a villain.
Every story needs a secret.

Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink. Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.

What really happened?
Someone knows.
Someone is lying.

For fans of Holly Black, We Were Liars, and The Raven Boys, this mysterious tale full of intrigue, dread, beauty, and a whiff of something strange will leave you utterly entranced.

Why I'm Excited:
Look at that cover! I'm seriously in love. This book sounds beyond intriguing, too. Throw out titles like The Virgin Suicides, We Were Liars, and The Raven Boys, and you better believe I'm going to sit up and pay attention...but those are also some pretty big shoes to fill. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. C'mon Dial: gimme, gimme, gimme.

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!



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Weekly Rewind 8.15.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

Life and Blog

 

Life: I arrived in VA last night and had my new-to-the-district meeting this morning. I went to my school afterwards to get the keys to my room...only to find out that I DON'T GET A CLASSROOM!! Apparently, the school is over-capacity, so each class period I'm going to have to go to a different teacher's room to teach my students. Even more annoying to me is that NONE of the classrooms I'll be in is an English classroom. I'll be in a social studies, a science, and a math room, so all of the posters and such won't even be my subject. I'll just have a cart to take from class to class. While I'm sure I still would have taken the job if I'd known, I still feel like this is something that should have been mentioned when I was hired--not after I'd moved down here and came to the school to get my room keys. I'm just...like, wtf. I was so excited to get my new room and have been looking on Pintrest at all the awesome ways to create themed rooms. I'm not trying to be negative about it, but after trying to put on a pleasant face about it to my new bosses all day, I just needed to vent. I seriously don't even want to think about it anymore. I'm sure it will work out. I am. Hopefully the teachers whose rooms I'll be invading will let me have a wall, or at least a bulletin board, to make my own. *Deep breath* It'll be fine. I know I'm lucky to have a job in such a good school district. Positive thoughts...

 

I'm currently in a hotel. My husband is coming down tomorrow to paint my new bedroom. I still need to buy a bed, and didn't want to do it until he painted. I've already figured out where one bookstore is, but resisted buying anything but a journal which is why I went in. I wrote constantly throughout high school and college, but stopped after my husband and I moved in together, mostly because my life felt "settled" and there wasn't as much to write about. I've really missed writing, though, and want to get back to it.

 

Blog and reading: This week I posted a quick review for the book Trouble is a Friend of Mine which is just weird, and a WoW about a girl who writes fan-fic about people at her school. I'm still reading The Cuckoo's Calling (that one's going to take me awhile, I have a feeling) and I've re-picked up Throne of Glass, a book all of my friends love, but that I've never been able to get through. It's going much better this time around, so I think I'll finish it. Sometimes you just have be in a mood for certain stories.

 

New books: This week I have a whole bunch of scarier books to share with you--a theme I didn't even realize until I looked at the books I needed to feature this week. I'm excited for all of them. So without further ado, I hope you are all having awesome weekends!

 

For review

 

   

 

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

I'm so excited for this sequel of The Diviners...I'm wary of any book over 600 pages, though.

Diary of a Haunting by M. Verano

I've watched a million movies about haunted houses, but I don't think I've ever read a book about one. This one is told through photo, letters, and journal entries, which is one of my favorite formats for books.

Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Aleander

A ghost kills a girl in her home which strands her there forever.

Dead Upon a Time by Elizabeth Paulson

As far as I can tell, this is a retelling of several fairytale characters.

 

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

 

 

 

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Waiting on Wednesday (111) Scarlet Epstein Hates it Here

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here

Author: Anna Breslaw
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: April 19, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Meet Scarlett Epstein, BNF (Big Name Fan) in her online community of fanfiction writers, world-class nobody at Melville High. Her best (read: only) IRL friends are Avery, a painfully shy and annoyingly attractive bookworm, and Ruth, her pot-smoking, possibly insane seventy-three-year-old neighbor.

When Scarlett’s beloved TV show is canceled and her longtime crush, Gideon, is sucked out of her orbit and into the dark and distant world of Populars, Scarlett turns to the fanfic message boards for comfort. This time, though, her subjects aren’t the swoon-worthy stars of her fave series—they’re the real-life kids from her high school. And if they ever find out what Scarlett truly thinks about them, she’ll be thrust into a situation far more dramatic than anything she’s ever seen on TV.

Why I'm Excited:
I love the idea of a girl who switches from fan-fic to writing about the people in her high school. I don't really have a whole lot else to say about it except for Gimme, please. Thank you.

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!



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Trouble is a Friend of Mine (Book Review)

Trouble is a Friend of Mine

Author: Stephanie Tromly
Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Number of Pages: 336

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Preparing to survive a typical day of being Digby's friend wasn't that different from preparing to survive the apocalypse.

Her first day not in school (because she cut) in her new hometown that will soon be her old hometown (because she's getting out of Dodge as fast as she can) Zoe meets Digby. Or rather, Digby decides he's going to meet Zoe and get her to help him find missing teenager. Zoe isn't sure how, but Digby—the odd and brilliant and somehow…attractive?—Digby always gets what he wants, including her help on several illegal ventures. Before she knows it, Zoe has vandalized an office complex with fake snow, pretended to buy drugs alongside a handsome football player dressed like the Hulk, had a throw-down with a possible cult, and, oh yeah, saved her new hometown (which might be worth making her permanent hometown after all.)

A mystery where catching the crook isn't the only hook, a romance where the leading man is decidedly unromantic, a story about friendship where they aren't even sure they like each other—Trouble is a Friend of Mine is a YA debut you won’t soon forget.

******************************************************************

MY THOUGHTS:

Trouble is a Friend of Mine is a hard book to review. It follows the story of a girl named Zoe. Zoe is new to a small town in upstate New York where she has moved with her mother after her parent's divorce. She is from the city, and is doing everything she can to get into an elite private school back home that feeds into Princeton...her father's alma mater. She's having trouble making friends when all of a sudden a boy named Digby shows up on her lawn and pulls her into the mystery of a missing girl that everyone believes has been kidnapped. Digby's especially interested in the case because years before his sister was kidnapped from his house right from under the family's nose. Zoe is unsure of this Digby character, but finds herself pulled into the middle of the mystery despite being a "good girl." She feels a little bit better about it when his incredibly handsome friend, Henry, joins in, despite the handsome friend having the resident mean girl as his girlfriend (because every high school girl needs the mean girl nemesis). 

Trouble is a Friend of Mine had some great things going for it: It is quickly-paced for the most part (it dragged in the middle a little bit and could have lost maybe 30 pages to keep it really flowing), the dialog is pretty snappy and brought a smile to my face a couple of times, the characters are all interesting (I liked Zoe and hoped that she would find her place in her new town), and the mystery and the townspeople are all intriguing. The cult living across the street was especially interesting to me.

What didn't work quite so well for me was Digby's character. I liked him and found him interesting, but he is basically the equivalent of the manicpixiedreamgirl. Nobody really acts like that all the time. Also, kind of spoiler: that ending just left me feeling like what the what? Is this supposed to be the first book in a series? If not, then wtf, for real? 

Overall, I don't know whether or not I can recommend this one. It is quick and pretty fun...but just, huh?

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